You have your favorite squad, and you’ve probably seen a home game or two over the years. But you have a certain itch — the need — no, the desire — to see your team at another stadium (and maybe in a Super Bowl). Perhaps it’s just curiosity, or maybe it’s seeing your team decimate the hopes of other fans.
Well, we have that itch, too.
The only pitfall we’ve stumbled upon is that going to an NFL game is ungodly expensive, often reaching the $1,000 mark with all expenses included. With such an expense, you want to ensure you get an even better experience.
That’s why we’ve decided to compile a list of the best NFL stadiums for the perfect fan experience. From food to atmosphere to pre-game festivities, these are the best options for your hard-earned dollar.
Satiate your NFL appetite and come along on the journey as we discuss the best NFL stadiums.
Despite having 32 teams, the NFL actually only has 30 stadiums, so that narrows down your scope ever so slightly. Among the 30, your options are interesting and varied. Are you in it for fanfare and tradition? Do you like to party before and after the game? Do you want to see other attractions around the city?
Only you can answer these questions. But we’ve put together a list of the 12 best NFL stadiums (and not-so-great ones) to get you started.
Disclaimer: Yes, we’re well aware that listing half the league’s stadiums doesn’t necessarily constitute a “best of” list. Remember that it’s all subjective, so what may be interesting to you means absolutely nothing to someone else. Some people like steak fries, others love the crinkle cut. It’s a part of life. Let’s get started.
No list of the best stadiums is complete without Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers. Steeped in history, home of the Lambeau Leap, and still one of the best tailgating venues, it’s truly the mecca of the gridiron — nabbing it the top spot in our list of the best NFL stadiums.
Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can buy a badass football stadium. Opened in 2016 and one of the world’s first $1 billion stadiums, U.S. Bank Stadium adds to the excitement factor of a Minnesota Vikings game.
Packed into a small downtown lot, all 73,000 seats are surprisingly close to the field. The food is great (try the Revival Hot Chicken sandwich), and it’s LOUD. It’s the perfect place to see a game, whether you’re a superfan or just along for the ride.
Home to the NFL’s 12th Man and the Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field is more of a fan favorite than anything else, as the stadium is beginning to show its age. But boy, it’s on the list of best NFL stadiums for a reason. The garlic fries are on point, the views are spectacular, and the fans are ready to party — whether the team is ho-hum or playoff-bound.
For good measure, grab a Seattle dog outside the stadium. For the uninitiated, that’s a hot dog with onions and cream cheese
The emergence of the Kansas City Chiefs as a dynasty has taken Arrowhead Stadium to new heights. At one point, it was the loudest stadium in the world, reaching 142 decibels — which, in case you’re wondering, is about the same volume as a gunshot.
Though there’s not much to do around the stadium, tailgating is legendary. Bring your drinking shoes — Midwesterners like to party.
Baltimore is an underrated town. The locals know it, and the Ravens know it. If you’re headed to Charm City, make a stop at M&T Bank Stadium.
The stadium itself is loud and exciting, but the pregame festivities reign supreme. Before the game, take a stroll down Ravenswalk. Lined with food trucks, beer vendors, and DJs, it’s the perfect spot to prepare for the game.
Las Vegas seems like the perfect spot for one of the top NFL stadiums, and Allegiant doesn’t disappoint — well, at least not as much as the Raiders do.
The world’s second-most expensive stadium is right on the Strip, allowing you to enjoy the experience in true Las Vegas fashion. Walk from the Luxor, tailgate in the Black Hole, and enjoy some of the most comprehensive food options in the NFL. You might also want to take a tour of the facility on non-gamedays. You can see the locker room, Mark Davis’s suite, and more.
Just don’t end up on the IR before the game even starts. Las Vegas can do that to you.
At a cost of $5.5 billion, Los Angeles’s SoFi Stadium is a modern engineering marvel. But we’re not sold on the cost of a stadium alone. Thankfully, SoFi has plenty of other amenities for diehard and casual fans.
The SoFi Lounge opens up before the game and gives you the opportunity to meet and greet former Rams or Chargers players. The tailgating in Thunder Alley is always a good time, regardless of whether the teams are playing the Panthers, Texans, Broncos, or a true interdivisional rival.
The only pitfall is that there’s nothing around the stadium, so be prepared to spend your entire day at SoFi — and its massive parking lot.
2024 marks the 100th-year anniversary of Soldier Field, and even with updates, it’s beginning to feel a bit antiquated — just like the Chicago Bears offense for the better half of a century.
But all shots aside, the Bears’ home has a certain feel to it — one that has to be experienced. For a true fan, this is one of the best NFL stadiums. For others, it may feel a bit blah outside of the architecture. Tailgating is top-notch, but the true gem is outside the stadium. Make sure to go to the legendary Kim and Carlo's Hot Dog cart between Field Museum and Soldier Field for a mind-blowing Chicago-style dog.
The Dallas Cowboys are America’s team, and AT&T Stadium doesn’t disappoint. The parking lot seems to have been designed specifically for tailgating, so there are no issues about partying. Inside, the big screen jumbotron lets you see the action even if your seats are lackluster.
Texas Live! is also a good spot before the game. The only downside is that the stadium is in Arlington. If you're staying in Dallas, be prepared to pony up quite a bit for Uber rides.
They aren’t the best, and they’re not the worst. These stadiums just seem to exist, adding little to the fan experience but offering a few features that should excite. We’re not saying to skip these stadiums, but you should only put these on your bucket list if you’re in the area or you’re desperate to see your team play.
If you have every NFL stadium on your bucket list and you’ve already hit the best NFL stadiums, you may want to save these until last.
No team in the league needs a new stadium more than the Washington Redskins...er, the Washington Football Team...no wait, the Washington Commanders. So it shouldn’t be a shock that a team that can’t even decide on a name sits at the bottom of our stadium rankings.
Fans stopped coming due to the team’s record, the traffic’s bad, and blown sewage lines and water pipes are somehow not the worst issues.
You’d think a stadium for the New York Giants and the New York Jets would be appealing, especially considering it’s also the largest NFL stadium with room for 82,500 spectators. After all, you’re in the Big Apple. The only problem is that MetLife Stadium isn’t in New York City. It’s in New Jersey.
Taking public transit to the game is a nightmare. Ubers can cost over $100 to get you back to the city. Nothing of remote interest exists around the stadium, and the Giants and Jets — well, they aren’t exactly the most exciting brand of football to watch. After playing just a few minutes on this lackluster field, maybe Aaron Rodgers was actually trying to get injured — or at least beat the traffic.
Maybe this year will be different, but figuring out who to start might be a problem of the players having to go to New Jersey.
Located in downtown Jacksonville, right near the riverfront, Everbank Stadium, once known as TIAA Bank Field, has all the hallmarks of one of the best NFL stadiums. The only problem is that the Jaguars are routinely one of the worst NFL teams, the stadium has no notable features or qualities, and it’s not really a destination city.
Can you really call yourself the San Francisco 49ers when your stadium is 40 miles away in Santa Clara? And when the stadium is mired in mediocrity, seemingly outdated even though it’s only 10 years old, and no true way to get to the stadium, it’s a good thing the Niners have had a great team the past few years.
Going to a Saints game is unlike anything else in the NFL. The city thrives on Sundays, and the roar of the crowd in bars and on the street is the same for a touchdown as it is for a kicker mashing a 24-yard field goal.
But the stadium itself is a bit rough. It’s rundown, understaffed, and, shockingly, has pretty awful cuisine. Going to New Orleans is still cool, but a fanatical sports bar is just as fun.
Home of the Miami Dolphins since 1987, Hard Rock Stadium has begun to show its age, lacking many of the amenities of more modern stadiums. But hey, if you’re bored, you can always walk across the street to a Wal-Mart Super Center.
Let’s face it. Going to an NFL game is not cheap. According to USA Today, the average ticket price for an NFL game in 2023 was $337, while the secondary market had a $151 ticket price via information from Seat Geek. That’s a sizable chunk of change that doesn't even include your food, beers, accommodation, or airfare.
But alas, you can still get to your stadium of choice if you’re in the fantasy football ranks. Just use Wise Guys Edge. Offering a helpful blog, a five-player comparison tool, and updated player numbers and figures using Vegas sportsbook odds, Wise Guys Edge is your gateway to an NFL game if you’re bold enough to gamble on your fantasy football league.
So, put the wheels in motion long before the start of the NFL season. Do your prep, conduct your research, set your draft board, and let Wise Guys Edge help you along the way.
Your fantasy buddies will surely be jealous when you’re basking in the sun (or snow) at the 50-yard line at one of the best NFL stadiums.
